Week Two of The Artist's Way

This is week two of the twelve-week Artist's Way process. Each week we're supposed to have an artist date with ourselves. This doesn't have to involve anything having to do with writing, though I hope I squeeze that in at some point. Last week my date consisted of me just sitting and reading for an hour without it being before bed (since I read nightly before bed to unwind, but it is often the only time I get any reading in).

This week we had to write down a list of things we missed doing. My list was mostly minor things that I simply don't have the time for anymore, but I chose two from it I haven't been doing often enough for other reasons to do for my artist's date this week: walks and photography.

I have been getting some walks in here and there, but I miss the daily walks I used to take. A combination of medical issues has made it much harder to achieve, as has limited time due to work and other responsibilities. I've been trying to push past the issues to take some short walks with a knee brace I got to help with arthritis in my knee. The most I've gotten done in one week is three. While it's not perfect, I think that three isn't too shabby. But that was only one week. I'd like to get to consistently getting in three walks a week and a monthly hike. It would do me a lot of good. 

In terms of photography, I find that I struggle with that before I struggle with writing. It takes a certain mindset to walk around and look at my surroundings with that joyful, creative eye it requires to see those images I want to photograph. I love nature photography, and would like to get back to doing it. So I set out on today's walk in my neighborhood with the determination to seek out photo opportunities. They aren't great, but it felt good to spy things I wanted to photograph. What I really need is a hike in a new place with things to discover, but I wasn't up for that today.

Buds popping out on the first day of spring

The blue, blue sky

The back of the stop sign no one pays attention to

Three signs in a row (the stop sign in back is harder to see)

Someone's cute lawn ornaments

Last year's dried berries still clustered on a tree, along with old, brown leaves

Trying to capture the fuzzy buds, but it was too windy and the phone camera kept focusing on everything but them

Peeling bark

Tree with character

Two of the roots are crossed at the base, looking like a creature with its legs crossed

Just an odd-shaped tree

The skellies in my yard clinging to the last bits of snow from last week's blizzard

The snow on the ground probably makes it look cold, but it was a balmy day. In fact, it was so warm I had on a tank top and sweatpants, and I deeply regretted the sweatpants. Short would have been better. It's supposed to be warm all week, and then we'll see what next week brings. It's my daughter's spring break, and we probably get snow about 90% of the time for the kids' spring breaks. We're probably due one more at least mild snow before it hangs up for the winter. Possibly more.

Next week's my book release! I'm sure the time is going to pass quickly.

Wendigo Nights Universal Purchase Link 

(Choose your preferred market for e-book and paperback!)

If you had to make a list of three items you miss, what would it be? What's stopping you from choosing one to make a point of doing this week?

May you find your Muse.

IWSG - Critical Mass & Book Release/Giveaway

 Hey! It's that time again and I'm not forgetting!

The IWSG was created by Alex J. Cavanaugh to provide a place for writers to seek and provide support to each other. Anyone can join. Simply click on Alex's name and add your blog to the list. Then write your post and hop around to visit your fellow struggling creatives.

The co-hosts this month are: Janet Alcorn, SE White, Victoria Marie Lees, and Cathrina Constantine. Be sure to visit them to say hey as thanks for their work.

This month's optional question is: What turns you off when visiting an author's website/blog?

As a reader, it would be not being able to find information on their books and where to buy them. As an event organizer, not being able to find a way to contact the author was a pet peeve. As a fellow author I'm probably looking for the same thing as I am as a reader. Other than that, I don't really want to see politics. Even if they match mine.

Okay, my insecurities. Well, the fact that I've reached critical mass for me. Balls are being dropped. It frustrates me when I can't keep up with everything and let things slide. Example being that I missed IWSG last month and I think the November one, too. I tried to set solid boundaries with my job and ended up sliding backward anyway. I've tried cutting down on some things, like my podcast going from weekly to once per month, so we'll see if there's any improvement from that. The overwhelm is leading to a shutdown, and I've got too much to juggle to actually let that happen. Critical mass.

But in positive news, I'm zooming forward with the release of my debut novel! I updated the banner on my Facebook page and couldn't believe I'm putting out my SIXTH book! I don't think I imagined being in quite this place a decade ago.

I'm running a giveaway through midnight on February 15 via Rafflecopter. The prize pack includes a signed paperback copy (after release on March 26), Wendigo magnet, Wendigo figure, tote bag, Wendigo pop socket, and $20 Amazon gift card. The link is below.

I'm running a special on my Square store. The first four people to order the signed paperback from me get a Wendigo sticker with their purchase (delivery after March 26).

And I'm looking for people to help with the release in March! You can sign up via the form below.

This has been exciting and nerve-wracking. Even more anxiety inducing than the craft book release. I'm trying to focus on having fun with it as I plow forward toward release day. So far, only the e-books are up for pre-order, and they're still trickling out to the full list of destinations, but I've got one proof and am waiting on the second, and then the paperback should be available for pre-order. My UBL from Books2Read should be updating over the next few weeks. Everything moves so fast once the momentum gets going.

I was a guest on Functional Nerds (my third time!), chatting with a good friend, Patrick Hester, and his co-host Tracy Townsend. It's episode 610.

I've also got a short story coming out in an anthology, releasing February 15th! Every story is based on an Alice Cooper song, and proceeds will go to his charity, Solid Rock Teen Centers. Dismember the Coop is already getting great reviews, so please consider checking it out on Amazon! There's also a large print version available.

In other news, I was a panelist at COSine here in Colorado Springs. I had a lot of fun, had some great panels, and got to see some friends. And I was organized enough to actually have swag for the upcoming book release. Including stickers! I've never really done much swag for my books, so this is another part of the fun. The rest of the swag is reserved for giveaways. (Photo taken by F.P. Dorchak)

Sorry for the long post, but I'm excited I got my act together long enough to pooooost! I've had the urge to start posting again regularly on topics I want to discuss, but know I wouldn't be able to stay on top of it. Not right now. 

What are your insecurities? What turns you off an author's page? Have you entered the giveaway? What are some successful giveaways you've run?

May you find your Muse.

Functional Nerds, Cover Reveal: Marked Beauty & Links

I was interviewed by The Functional Nerds podcast. Check it out after you've read the rest of the post! ;)

I'm pleased to be participating in S.A. Larsen's cover reveal for Marked Beauty. Without further ado:

Title: Marked Beauty

Author: S.A. Larsen

Publisher: Ellysian Press

Release Date: October 2017

Uncovering hidden secrets can sometimes kill you . . . or worse, steal your soul.
Anastasia Tate has a secret. She can feel the emotions of others through their life energy auras. Not a welcome gift for a teenager. Especially when a sinister presence begins stalking her.

Viktor Castle also has a secret. He’s tasked with protecting humanity yet cursed by an ancient evil to destroy it.

After Viktor saves Ana’s life, her abilities grow stronger. Drawn together, she senses Viktor has answers to lifelong questions. Only he shuns her at every turn, knowing he has saved her only to put her in more danger.

As Ana struggles with her attraction to Viktor, he tries everything to bury his unexpected feelings for her. But they must find a middle ground. For only together can they combat the dark forces threatening both their lives . . . and their souls.

ADD to GOODREADS

About the Author
S.A. LARSEN is the author of the award-winning novel Motley Education, the first book in a fantasy-adventure series for middle grade readers. Her work has appeared in numerous local publications and young adult anthologies Gears of Brass and Under A Brass Moon by Curiosity Quills Press. Marked Beauty is her debut young adult novel. Find her in the land of snowy winters and the occasional Eh’ya with her husband of over twenty-five years, four children, a playful pooch, and three kittens. Visit her cyber home anytime at www.salarsenbooks.com.

Connect with her on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Blog | Goodreads

Giveaway
This is a #hashtag giveaway, where two lucky winners will receive a FREE eBook of Marked Beauty upon its release.

To participate:

• Share one of the premade images via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or write up a blog post using one of the images.
• Include #MarkedBeauty in your description.
• Optional for extra entry: include Add to Goodreads (with link) in your description.

***Posts MUST contain the hashtag #MarkedBeauty for entry into the giveaway or we won’t be able to find you.

Pre-made tweets (you add the image)

"A lust 4 life energy. An ancient curse. One soul's journey thru death 2 find the cure." #MarkedBeauty #CoverReveal http://bit.ly/2qdE0q0

"Uncovering some secrets can kill you, or worse ... steal your soul." #MarkedBeauty #CoverReveal http://bit.ly/2qdE0q0 #YAlit

An ancient race. A timid girl. And a journey to the in-between. #MarkedBeauty #CoverReveal http://bit.ly/2qdE0q0 #YAlit

The giveaway begins May 17^th and will be open until May 23^rd. Winners will be announced May 24^th via social media.

LINK TIME

Now for some links. Bear in mind I'm not endorsing these, merely passing them along. Aways do your own due diligence before submitting.

Accepting Submissions:

A Murder of Storytellers is accepting short fiction pieces about the rebellious dead for the anthology The Misbehaving Dead. Up to 10,000 words. Pays $15 and a contributor copy. Deadline June 13.

Arsenika is accepting flash fiction and poetry for their summer issue. Up to 1000 words. Pays $60 for fiction, $30 for poetry. Deadline June 15.

18th Wall Productions is accepting short Lovecraftian stories for their anthology The Chromatic Court: Tales of the Lovecraftian Arts. 4000 to 16,000 words. Pays 5% gross profit quarterly. Deadline June 15.

Pseudopod is accepting short horror/dark fiction to be put out on a podcast recording. Pays $.06/word.

What do you think? Have you participated in a hashtag giveaway before? Going to now? Any of these links of interest? Anything to share? 

May you find your Muse.